Moose Jaw Wakamow NDP candidate Melissa Patterson describes herself as a regular, hardworking woman who has seen how poorly the Sask. Party has served the community and wants to change that.
“I know that we can do better, and I know that the people of Moose Jaw want better, and I’m ready to fight for that better,” she said on Sept. 29 after an election campaign press conference — featuring NDP leader Ryan Meili — finished at her office at 63 High Street West.
Patterson pointed to the elimination of the SaskPower, SaskEnergy and SaskTel offices — and the quality jobs with them — as examples of how the Sask. Party has treated Moose Jaw. Meanwhile, schools are overcrowded, and mental health and addictions issues are soaring.
These are issues she has seen and also heard from residents ever since she began door-knocking in July.
“It’s, like, not changing to me. I’m hearing it over and over and over,” she added.
Patterson is a well-known activist and volunteer in the community. She has worked at Casino Moose Jaw for 16 years and has been involved with the union there. She has also been involved in other local unions and has been a member of the provincial board.
Her time with these groups has kept her passionate and engaged with the issues, while she has felt the deep need to stand up for people because of these causes, she explained. Standing up for people is what drove her to run for politics and to fight for them.
Education, health care and mental health are three issues on which Patterson plans to campaign during the election. She pointed out these are the issues she originally started with while attempting to obtain the nomination for Moose Jaw Wakamow in February.
Patterson thought Meili and the NDP had a better plan since the party has always been about “putting people first.” This is best illustrated by the fact Tommy Douglas helped bring medicare to the province.
“It’s inspiring to be part of such a great legacy and now part of such a great team,” Patterson said. “We’re so diverse. I can remember listening to Vicki Mowat and Danielle Chartier hold a town hall on health care back in June 2019, and those ladies are just amazing. I was completely inspired to step forward at that point … .
“I want to be part of this great team and I’m happy to be here.”
Moose Jaw Wakamow incumbent Greg Lawrence has won the last two elections by vote margins of 695 and 201. To claim more support than that, Patterson thought she would have to engage often with people to earn their trust. This included showing her face regularly and reminding people she wants to hear what they have to say and wants to work for them.
Patterson added that Moose Javians should vote for her because it’s time for a change and she would like to be the conduit through whom that change happens.
